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SBY 1

1988 Mercedes-benz 420

Silver Petrol 4196cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Jun 2026
Tests16 (12 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

161,403 mi
Last recorded161,403 miles
Recorded on13 Jun 2025
Typical for 1988 Mercedes-benz 420101,568 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSBY 1
MakeMercedes-benz
Model420
Year1988
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,196cc

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50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

12 pass 4 fail
Pass 13 Jun 2025 161,403 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 7 Jun 2023 160,556 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 27 Jun 2019 159,478 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 3 Jul 2018 157,665 miles
Fail 25 Jun 2018 157,625 miles

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 28 Jun 2017 156,972 miles

Nearside Rear tyre small cracks

Offside Rear Inner tyre small cracks

Fail 27 Jun 2017 156,970 miles

Central Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear brake caliper has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear brake caliper has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Nearside Rear tyre small cracks

Offside Rear Inner tyre small cracks

Pass 18 May 2015 155,501 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 12 Jun 2013 153,969 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2012 152,843 miles
Fail 14 Jun 2012 152,843 miles

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 27 Jun 2011 151,771 miles

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Pass 12 Sep 2009 149,947 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2009 149,947 miles

Nearside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 24 May 2007 148,558 miles
Pass 17 May 2006 146,860 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz 420?

Based on 24,311 MOT tests across 2,343 vehicles.

75.7%
Pass Rate
809
Miles/Year
40
Year Lifespan
2,343
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 647
Brake pipe excessively corroded 577
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 565
brake binding 530
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 479
Full Mercedes-benz 420 reliability report

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SBY 1 is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 420 in Silver with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1988 Mercedes-benz 420 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.3% with a typical mileage of 101,568 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz 420 fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 647 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SBY 1, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz 420 typically stays on UK roads for around 40 years. At 38 years old, this Mercedes-benz 420 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SBY 1?

You can check the full history of SBY 1 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SBY 1 registered?

SBY 1 is a 1988 Mercedes-benz 420, first registered on 20 May 1988.

Is SBY 1 safe to buy?

The MOT history for SBY 1 shows 16 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SBY 1 have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on SBY 1. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.